Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-06-16
MINERAL POINT HIGH SCHOOL.
The Class Of 81 the Largest Yet
Turned Out.
synopsis Of Essays, de-, at tie
Commencement Exercises.

never before was the Opera Hall
more densely packed, on any occa-
sion, than during the commence
ment exercises of the Mineral Point
High School which took place last
Friday evening; and seldom if ever
ana the people come away more
pleased with the entertainment.
The class of 'S7 is the largest vet
turned out, while the standing, in
divldually and collectively, is re-
garded by those who have looked
over the pupils papers, etc, as
above the average. For this credit
is due the students for their steady
perseverance and determination,
and TO the principal aud his assistant
for their patient, untiring efforts, in
all of which our citizens have am
pie reason for the pride evinced.
The other departments of our pub
lie schools are reported as being in
the best of condition, the several
teachers having performed their
duties well. In brief there is much
to be pleased with, and but few
causes for complaint. That the
Mineral Point High School should
heDceforth be on the accredited list
is but a proper and just claim and
the desire of the majority. The
interspersing of music by the band
and some of our best vocal talent
went far toward perfecting the
entertainment.
Following are the essays, in .
synoptical form, of the several tax
ing part in the graduating exercises.
NIHILISM.
WILLIAM 2. BLISS.
First on the programme of the
evening was an Grafton by William
II. Bliss, entitled "Nihihsm." AL
though having a somewhat embar-
assing position on the programme
yet he did credit to himself and to
the school from which he graduated. |
The essay was well written and de-
livered. 1t is in substance, as fol !
lows: For the last 25 years the
lives of the emperors of Russia
have been in constant danger from
members of large secret society
termed Nlhilists. The society orig
mated in the time of Emperor
Nicholas, among the young army !
officers, and their influence soon ex
tended to the schools and univer-
sites. 1t assumed a more decided |
character during the reign of Alex
ander II. Under the oppression of /
the next Gar the students lost every
sentiment of loyalty for the Gar,
and reverence for the church, and
were constantly planning desperate
plots and consplracies. Their aim
is chiefly the extinction of the
monarchy and the Russian church.
Unlike the consplrators against
most other governments, the mill
lists belong to the upper aud middle
classes of society. All Nihlllsts do
not belong to single united organ
lzAtion, bdt they compose numerous
societies, the purposes and methods
of which differ widely. Women
also are largely implicated in the
plots, not of the lower classes, but
the educated and refined, those of
high rank, and great wealth, oper-
atOrs from factories, and even nuns
Of the converts of the Greek
who by Disgusting them
selves, work among the lower class
es to create a wide spread sentiment
IN favor Of the cause they advocate.
W hlie nlbllism is not an lustitu-
lion that should be countenanced by
lovers OF liberty, as proper cure
tor despouc rule, yet as long as the
Czar remains despot, nIhllism or
some other secret aud dangerous
combination will continue to exist,
continue TO do It's work, continue to
lgltate and infiame, until Russia
shall recognize The rights OF her
subjects, and like other monarchies
1f Europe, shall be compelled to
wheel into the line of a more liberal
and righteous policy in the govern
ment of her people.
OUR UNPROTECTED SEA
COAST.
ATpEpT q u0pN